2012 NFL Mock Draft: Matchup Nightmares That'll Set NFL on Fire

Almost two-thirds of the NFL couldn’t possibly care less about the Super Bowl.  Instead of the Lombardi Trophy, their eyes are on the 2012 NFL Draft. 

In the upcoming draft, there are multiple offensive playmakers out there that will eventually be matchup nightmares for the franchise that selects them.

Here is an early 2012 mock draft with the top mismatches highlighted.

1.       Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Peyton or no Peyton, Indianapolis can’t pass on Luck with the first overall pick.  Even if Manning plays for a couple of more years, they’ll need to replace him eventually and the Colts won’t find a prospect better.

2.       St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

St. Louis’ offensive line surrendered the most sacks in the entire league this season.  Unless the Rams want to ruin Sam Bradford, they’ll need to find his blindside protector with his selection.

3.       Minnesota Vikings: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

With only one respectable wide receiver to throw to in Percy Harvin, Christian Ponder was set up to fail this season.  Minnesota must find a possession target to complement the explosive Harvin and Blackmon fits the bill and more.

The 6’1”, 215-pound beast breaks smaller cornerbacks' tackles with ease.  He hauled in 113 receptions for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns so far this season.  He is the most talented receiver in the 2012 draft class by far and is the Vikings' best shot to transform their offense into a force.

4.       Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Colt McCoy isn’t the answer at quarterback for the Browns.  RGIII has the potential to have the same effect on Cleveland’s offense that Cam Newton had as a rookie in Carolina.

5.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU 

 With Ronde Barber nearly ready to be put in a nursing home and Aqib Talib potentially going to jail, all of a sudden the Bucs need a cornerback.  Claiborne is the best defensive player in the draft and projects as a shutdown corner.

6.       Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

 Will Mike Shanahan’s ego really allow him to reach for a quarterback in Landry Jones?  Running back definitely isn’t a need, but Richardson is the best player available and would still be a major upgrade.

7.       Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

 Jacksonville needs to find Blaine Gabbert a big wideout and they find a major game changer in Alshon Jeffery.  The Jags, like the Vikings, chose to allow their rookie quarterbacks to throw to garbage receivers.

Jeffery would instantly become Gabbert’s favorite target.  The 6’4”, 229-pound monster only brought down 45 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns this season, but he was a victim of poor quarterback play.  The massive Jeffery would also complement the undersized Mike Thomas well.

8.       Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

 This pick will be decided by coin flip and awarded to either the Panthers or Dolphins.
Carolina’s defense needs a ton of help and Dre Kirkpatrick is the best player available.  He could play either corner or safety for the Panthers.

9.       Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma

Matt Moore played well near the end of the season, but he’s no franchise quarterback.  Jones, on the other hand, has the potential to be one for the Dolphins and if he isn’t ready now, he could always sit behind Moore for a season.

10.   Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

 Buffalo finished the season ranked 27th in the league in sacks.  That has to change and Coples, who can play defensive end or outside backer for the Bills, is a great value at this point in the draft.

11.   Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

 How ironic; by going back to school, Matt Barkley screwed over his old head football coach who ditched USC before they were put on postseason probation. 

Seattle needs a quarterback, but there aren’t any on the board worthy of a No. 11 selection so the Seahawks must look to improve their pass rush.

12.   Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

 The Chiefs could also use an upgrade at the quarterback position, but they’re plagued by the same lack of quality that the Seahawks are.  Filling a huge hole on the offensive line isn’t a bad plan B for Kansas City.

13.   Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

 The Cardinals' offensive line surrendered just one sack less than the Rams did this season.  Arizona can’t spend so much money on Kevin Kolb and stick a revolving door between him and opposing pass rushers.

14.   Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

 Jenkins comes with red flags, but the Cowboys have to roll the dice here.  Their pass defense cost them both must-win games against the Giants late in the season as Eli Manning effortlessly torched them.

15.   Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker, Boston College

 This is a dream selection for the Eagles.  Kuechly is a leader on and off the field and he fills a major need at linebacker.

16.   New York Jets: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

After quitting on the Jets late in the season, who knows if Santonio Holmes will be back in New York next year?  Floyd would be a strong replacement and would quickly make New York fans forget about Holmes.  

Mark Sanchez needs help and the Fighting Irish wide out would provide plenty of it.  The 6’3”, 222-pound monster brought down 100 receptions this season for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play. 

He would form quite a physically dominating duo with Plaxico Burress.

17.   Cincinnati Bengals: Vontaze Burfict, Outside Linebacker, Arizona State

 Cincinnati will ignore all of Burfict’s character concerns and see a monster linebacker with potential to be a top-10 selection.  Burfict can play inside and strong-side linebacker, but the Bengals have a bigger need on the outside.

18.   San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

 DeCastro is talented enough to sneak into the top 10, but offensive guard just isn’t a major need compared to tackle.  San Diego’s O-line isn’t the force it once was and Kris Dielman could possibly retire.

19.   Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

 Chicago and Jay Cutler in particular would love Alshon Jeffery here, but in this mock he’s long gone.  Instead, they look to the defensive side of the football, where Israel Idonije is an aging free agent.

20.   Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

 Tennessee doesn’t have many better options at positions of need at No. 20.  Chris Johnson shouldn’t be struggling to rush for 1,000 yards; guard is their most pressing need.

21.   Denver Broncos: Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

 Still is the best available player, and the Broncos could use an upgrade at defensive tackle after switching to a 4-3 last offseason.  With Tim Tebow running the show, Denver needs a strong defense to keep it close until the fourth quarter.

22.   New York Giants: Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

 The Giants are last in the league in rushing yards per game.  Repeat that to yourself and be in shock; Miller would instantly resurrect New York’s running game.

23.   Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska

 Cincinnati continues to upgrade the defensive side of the football with the best corner on the board in Dennard.  Losing Jonathan Joseph last offseason to the Houston Texans left a huge hole at the position.

24.   Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

 Just imagine the Texans offense with a respectable wideout across from Andre Johnson.  That machine is exactly what Houston would have after drafting Wright.

25.   Cleveland Browns: Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver, Rutgers

 It would be ideal for the Browns to select Wright after already picking his Baylor teammate Robert Griffin III, but they just miss out.  Cleveland still needs a wideout for their new QB and Sanu is the best available.

26.   Detroit Lions: Pete Konz, Center, Wisconsin

 See how good the Lions are when the can actually keep Matthew Stafford out of a sling?  They should do more of that and fill a hole at center.

27.   Pittsburgh Steelers: Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

 Pittsburgh never drafts by need alone and Upshaw is the best player on the board.  James Harrison is getting up there in age, so they’ll need a replacement eventually, but in the meantime, he’d provide great depth.

28.   Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

 Presently, Hightower could start next to Ray Lewis upgrading the Ravens’ interior defense.  In the future, though, he could actually replace Baltimore’s vocal leader in the middle when he chooses to retire.

29.   New England Patriots: Mark Barron, Strong Safety, Alabama

 New England’s secondary is a joke and needs upgraded at nearly every position.  Barron is a run-stopping force, a hard hitter and would be an instant upgrade at strong safety for the Patriots.

30.   San Francisco 49ers: Nick Perry, Outside Linebacker, USC

 San Francisco could select Ryan Tannehill here, but it isn’t a wise idea for a contender to select a quarterback in the first round because it gives mixed signals to the team.  Ahmad Bradshaw is a free agent; so if he darts, they’d need a replacement.

31.   New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

 Bill Belichick’s Albert Haynesworth experiment ended up being a total flop.  They still need an upgrade at tackle and the Patriots shouldn’t stop drafting defense.

32.   Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, Defensive End, Mississippi State

 Green Bay’s defense hasn’t been as dominant since the loss of Cullen Jenkins.  They don’t have many holes anywhere in their starting lineup, but they could use an upgrade at defensive end.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
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